Attic dust: an archive of historical air contamination of the urban environment and potential hazard to health?

Gaberšek, Martin; Watts, Michael J.; Gosar, Mateja. 2022 Attic dust: an archive of historical air contamination of the urban environment and potential hazard to health? Journal of Hazardous Materials, 432, 128745. 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128745

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128745

Abstract/Summary

A comprehensive study of attic dust in an urban area is presented. Its entire life cycle, from determining historical emission sources to recognising the processes that take place in attic dust and its potential to impact human health is discussed. Its chemical composition and morphological characteristics of individual solid particles reflect past anthropogenic activities. High levels of Be-Cd-Cu-Sb-Sn-Pb-Te-Zn and occurrence of Cu-Zn shavings are typical for an industrial zone characterised by a foundry and a battery factory. High levels of Co-Fe-Mo-Ni-W-Ba-Cr-Mg-Mn-Nb-Ti and occurrence of various solid Fe-oxides, particularly spherical particles, were identified in another industrial zone, which was dominated by the automotive and metal-processing industries. Emissions from coal combustion affected the distribution of S-Se-Hg-Tl-As-Ag-U. The predominant mineral in attic dust is gypsum, which was presumably formed in situ by the reaction of carbonate dust particles and atmospheric SO2 gas. The high oral bioaccessibility of As-Cd-Cu-Pb-Zn in the gastric phase and high bioaccessibility of As-Cu-Cd-Ni in the gastrointestinal phase were identified. Determined characteristics of attic dust and identified possibilities of prolonged human exposure to it indicate that attic dust should be treated as an excellent proxy for historical air contamination as well as a potentially hazardous material for human health.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128745
ISSN:	03043894
Date made live:	07 Apr 2022 12:34 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/532434

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128745

ISSN:

03043894

Date made live:

07 Apr 2022 12:34 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/532434